Maybe this is the season that the Elon University men’s basketball team is ready to reach out — literally and figuratively — and make some more noise.

The past couple of weeks would suggest that’s possible.

While the Phoenix won’t blow teams away with its bulk, Elon has some long-armed players who are capable of using their length in ways that are paying off.

“I like our length,” Elon coach Matt Matheny said. “We’re using our length effectively right now. I think we created a lot of the turnovers.”

Those comments came after the Phoenix disposed of previously unbeaten South Carolina on Wednesday night. Even against the Southeastern Conference opponent, Elon wasn’t dwarfed by the opposition from a major conference. Across the board, it was Elon that seemed to have a size advantage, putting that to good use in the 65-53 victory.

“They were pushing up on us, so we might as well make it tough on them,” forward Lucas Troutman said. “We had arm extension and that’s a big thing that Coach has been harping on.”

Matheny said his coaching staff is charting deflections on the defensive end. He must like what he’s seeing after South Carolina committed 22 turnovers, many caused by Elon players redirecting passes from the Gamecocks.

“Just getting hands on balls and being in the right position,” guard Jack Isenbarger said.

Matheny said he was encouraged by the game-long defensive effort. Troutman and guard Tanner Samson batted away South Carolina passes during a key second-half stretch. And Elon players were crashing to the floor in pursuit of loose balls, with Isenbarger, Sebastian Koch and Ryan Winters all making notable second-half diving attempts that had teammates on the bench standing and cheering.

The Phoenix is 4-1 for only the second time in its Division I era (also at the start of the 2002-03 season under coach Mark Simons). A victory today at Virginia Military Institute would provide Elon its best six-game start since the 1987-88 team’s 6-0 mark with coach Bob Burton.

VMI defeated Old Dominion for the first time almost 35 years Wednesday night. It was the Keydets’ first victory against a Division I opponent this season.